Floating fiber optic pin contact assembly having a ferrule capable of movement within a multi-piece body of the contact assembly

a technology of fiber optic pins and contact assemblies, applied in the field of floating fiber optic pin contact assemblies, can solve problems such as signal transmission and integrity degradation of systems

US9213147B2Active Publication Date: 2015-12-15SMITHS INTERCONNECT AMERICAS INC
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Patents(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
Publication Date
2015-12-15

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Abstract

A floating fiber optic pin contact including a ceramic ferrule defining a glass fiber channel for allowing light beams to pass therethrough. The ceramic ferrule has an end portion with a first diameter and a body portion with a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter. The floating fiber optic pin contact also including a multi-piece body having an inner body member in physical contact with the body portion of the ceramic ferrule and an outer body member not in physical contact with the body portion of the ceramic ferrule and spaced apart from the inner body member. The floating fiber optic pin contact also including a washer connected between the inner body member and the outer body member.
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Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 557,253, filed on Nov. 8, 2011, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND

[0002] 1. Field

[0003] The present invention generally relates to fiber optic contacts and improvements thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to a floating fiber optic pin contact that allows for more accurate alignment between a pin and a socket.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a conventional fiber optic pin contact 100. The fiber optic pin contact 100 may conform to typical industry designs, such as MIL-PRF-29504 / 4. The fiber optic pin contact 100 includes a ceramic ferrule 105 positioned within a one-piece contact body 110. Light beams travel through a glass fiber 125 of a fiber optic cable 115. The ceramic ferrule 105 is generally cylindrical in shape and is tightly fit int...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0020]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of a fiber optic pin contact 400 according to an embodiment of the invention. The fiber optic pin contact 400 may be interchangeable with MIL-PRF-29504 / 4 contacts. The fiber optic pin contact 400 includes a ceramic ferrule 405 positioned within a multi-piece body 414. The ceramic ferrule 405 has an end portion 406 and a body portion 410. The end portion 406 is generally cylindrical in shape and has a first diameter. The body portion 410 is generally cylindrical in shape and has a second diameter. The second diameter is smaller than the first diameter. The body portion 410 has an undercut to eliminate restriction of the movement of the ceramic ferrule 405 when the ceramic ferrule 405 is coupled to the fiber optic socket contact 200.

[0021]The multi-piece body 414 has an outer body member 415 and an inner body member 420. The inner body member 420 is in direct physical contact with the body portion 410 of the ceramic ferrule 405. The inner bo...